Saturday, July 26th
3:00pm - 4:00pm
Concurrent Sessions:

5D - Minor League Sports Facilities: The Critical Factors for Success
Presenter: Don Dethlefs, AIA, President, Sink Combs Dethlefs, Denver, CO

Minor league sports are enjoying a new trend that has begun to replace the traditional method of minor league growth. The leagues have been forging a symbiotic relationship by simultaneously locating a new team within a newly developed facility. New minor league facilities are often multipurpose venues located in medium to small markets that are regional as compared to major metropolitan areas. A similar scenario is also taking place with smaller Universities and Colleges forging unique relationships with surrounding communities to create outstanding cultural and event centers. It is important to note that the model for this expansion is a venue that serves as an anchor for major development or redevelopment in an area. Often they serve as a significant component of a town center or major one-stop-shopping development where retail, business and housing growth come together to form a new destination area.

In this session, you'll hear from architectural, business and development professionals as they address:

  • the guiding principles of mixed-use development;
  • the expanded role, opportunities and challenges for public assembly facilities in these developments;
  • case studies;
  • lessons learned: "do-overs" and "do-agains"

Close